Writes
The Knights of Maenara Collective (2 of 10) The bedroom door at the top of the stairs was locked, the antique brass knob refusing to turn under Nicola’s hand. She knocked once, twice, then harder when there was no response. “Miss Broadchurch? Grace? I need my jacket. My phone’s in the pocket and I need to call this in.” Silence.… Continue reading Witness and Attack, Part Two
The Knights of Maenara Collective (2 of 10) The kitchen smelled wrong, not rot exactly, but something sharper underneath the citrus-bright disinfectant. Copper and sweetness, like blood cut with sugar, like someone had tried to scrub away evidence but only succeeded in making it more obvious. The kind of smell that gets into your sinuses and stays there, that you… Continue reading Witness and Attack, Part One
Magic & Smut Dear Reader, I know, I know…I promised you this chapter ages ago, and here we are, fashionably late like Spencer showing up to literally everything. In my defense, I’ve been battling my own ghost witch (she’s called “Distraction” and she’s relentless), attempting spells that backfired spectacularly (much like Erin), and generally living that “I’ll do it tomorrow”… Continue reading Haint Party, Chapter 6
The Knights of Maenara Collective (1 of 10) Her car sat in the side lot where she’d left it years ago, covered in dust and Spanish moss and time: a rebuilt Honda Del Sol she’d named Rougarou after the Cajun werewolf that ran through sugarcane fields and ate children who misbehaved. Compact, quick, painted midnight blue with rust patches she’d… Continue reading Homecoming, Part Two
The Knights of Maenara Collective (1 of 10) Detective Nicola Knight had come home the way ghosts do: quiet, uninvited, and carrying unfinished business. Her plane touched down at Louis Armstrong International at 6:13 p.m., wheels screeching like wounded birds, engines reversing with enough force to jolt her forward against the fraying seatbelt. Nicola didn’t flinch. She’d flown rougher rides… Continue reading Homecoming, Part One
November’s Grand Saga As the last echoes of Halloween fade and the days grow shorter, I’ve decided to embrace November with an ambitious creative endeavor. Instead of tackling a massive novel, I’m launching a more focused, equally exciting project: a complete short story cycle. What is a Short Story Cycle? If you haven’t heard the term before, a short story… Continue reading Writing a Short Story Cycle
Bunnytails & Grunting Starfish It was a quick jaunt down the island on a road with terrific ocean views and I was grateful. Grateful for not having to play dodge the cars in my nicer clothes. I had dressed up to assure my more fashionable friends that I have more than t-shirts and joggers. I was still wearing jeans, but… Continue reading Haint Party, Chapter 4
Ghost Rider We were about to leave when Spencer spun around at the door, “Wait! I forgot something.” He ushered us into the kitchen, where he told us to wait while he jogged to his room. I didn’t have a clue what he could be doing. We glanced at one another as we waited and said nothing as Spencer seemed… Continue reading Haint Party, Chapter 3
One Helluva Shiner As I walked into the house’s expansive coastal kitchen, I was hit by the cold air of the air conditioner and I shivered myself aware of how much I needed to pee. I looked around for a door, but was paused by my view. I could see through a row of massive picture windows that dwarfed the… Continue reading Haint Party, Chapter 2
